Bag filling machine



Oct. 12, 1954 J, C, PETREA 2,691,476

BAG FILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. l, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS Oct. 12, 1954 J. c. PETREA BAG FILLING MACHINE A 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. l, 1951 ATTORNEYS Oct. 12, 1954 J. c. PETREA BAG FILLING MACHINE Sheds-Sheet 3' Filed Aug. 1, 1951 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Oct. l2, 1954 J. c. 'PETREA BAG FILLING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 1, 19,51

y INVENTOR .'leilw ATTORNEYS Oct. l2, 1954 J. c. PETREA 2,691,476

BAG FILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. l, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 9/ L'j All v 'Il i l @z @ZJINVENTO -l gi Jamas" Helma Il V .90

BY @am L @a 3o ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE BAG FILLING MACHINE Application August 1, 1951, Serial No. 239,661

16 Claims.

This invention relates to bag filling machines and particularly to an apparatus for supporting and positioning an opened bag while the same is being lled. The apparatus is particularly adapted for use with high speed weighing or measuring machines.

In general the apparatus comprising the preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a fixed frame or standard having constantly rotating driving means and a rotatable turret. The turret carries radially extending arms each of which supports bag holding mechanism and material directing tunnels. The drive arrangement such that the turret is periodically indexed to present successive bag holdingI means to a filling station in response to completion of a weighing or other measuring operation performed by an associated machine. Intermediate drive means between the constantly rotating driving means and the turret are embodied in a friction clutch and a brake. The brake is applied by a cam fixed to the turret and arranged to stop the turret when a bag support reaches the filling station. Upon completion of the weighing or measuring operation and deposit of the material in a bag the brake is released to permit another indexing cycle of operation. The apparatus also includes novel means for agitating the bag as it is being nlled and novel means for holding a bag and its contents on the apparatus and releasing the saine at a predetermined station.

lt is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved bag filling machine capable of high speed operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bag filling machine of the nature indicated which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide novel indexing means in a bag filling apparatus permitting unusually high operating speeds.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel means for locking a bag to the apparatus and for spreadingl the same to insure proper delivery of material thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bag lling machine having bag supports arranged oircumferentially on a rotatable turret and adjustment means for circumferentially adjusting the bag holding means individually.

A still further object of this invention is to provide, in a bag nlling machine, an element for frictions-ily retaining an empty bag on the apparatus and for thereafter positively clamping the bag to its support.

Another object of the invention resides in means to prevent swinging of a filled or partially filled bag out of its intended path of travel.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of automatically operable means to insure delivery to a bag of material deposited in a funnel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bag filling machine readily adaptable for use with any high speed material weighingor measuring apparatus.

Other objects and advantages will appear to those skilled in the art as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational View of a preferred form of bag filling machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the cover plate removed.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with portions thereof broken away and other portions shown in section. The view of Figure 4 is taken from a position substantially at station 2 as seen in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through the star wheel agitator mounted on the Cover plate.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along the line 6 5 shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 'I 'i of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 3 8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a sectional detail taken along the line 9 9 of Figure 6, and

Figure 10 is a detailed sectional View similar to the right-hand portion of Figure 3 but showing the relationship of the parts at a different station from that shown in Figure 3.

Referring first to Figure l of the drawings, a base member 2 iixedly supports an upstanding column or post 4 on which the mechanism of the present invention is supported. The post l also adjustably sup-ports a rack or holder 6 for a stack of empty bags.

Referring next to Figure 3, thepost t is shown asbeing providedgwith a frame plate orgsupport8 having a hub surrounding the post and which may be xed thereon in any suitable manner such as by set screws or the like (Fig. 4) The support plate 8 is provided with suitable brackets or bosses to which a motor II! is attached. The motor I may be a gear type motor having an out-put shaft extending upwardly through the support 8 and carrying a pinion I2 keyed to its upper end. The axis of the pinion I2 is oiset laterally relative to the post 4 and the pinion meshes with a rotatable gear I4 journalled on the post 4. The gear I4 is provided with an elongated upstanding hub IE and a lower surface I8 bearing upon the upper surface of support plate 8. The surface i8 constitutes a thrust bearing for the gear I4. To the upper surface of the gear I4 an agitator plate 29 is secured by means of screws 22. Surrounding the hub I'B of the gear I4 above the agitator plate 20 is a carrier plate 24 mounted for rotation about the hub IB of gear I4 and supported by the upper surface of agitator plate 2G. The carrier plate 24 has a hollow cylindrical drum 2S xed to its upper surface by means of screws 28 and the plate 24 and drum 26 are thus arranged to rotate about hub I6 as a single unit. The drum 26 is provided with an outwardly extending iiange 30 substantially mid-way of its height, which flange constitutes a cam to be described later. The upper surface of the carrier 24 adjacent the hub I8 and within the drum 25 defines a friction surface engaging a friction driving ring 32. The driving ring 32 is keyed to the hub IS of gear I4 as at 34 to be driven thereby but is free to move axially on the hub. A pressure ring 36 is also keyed to the hub I6 above driving ring 32 and is held in axial position thereon by an adjustable backing ring 38 threaded to the outer surface of the hub iS. The driving ring 32 and pressure ring 35 are provided with opposed recesses or openings into which the ends of compression springs 4i) extend. The compression springs 40 hold driving ring 32 in snug frictional engagement with the upper surface of the carrier 24 to effect a frictional drive thereto from the hub of gear I4. The ring 38 may be adjusted axially of the hub le to thereby regulate the pressure applied to the friction drive described and for this purpose the ring 38 is provided with holes 39 for engagement by a suitable Spanner wrench or the like.

The cylindrical drum 26, above the cam flange 30, is provided with a smooth cylindrical outer surface constituting a bra-ke drum, to be described later.

Referring now to Figure 2 along with Figure 3, the plate 24 carries a plurality of radially extending arms 42 having forked outer ends and fairly wide inner end portions. The inner end portions of the arms 42 are provided with radially extending adjustable eye-bolts 44. The eyebolts of each arm are circumferentially spaced and held in radially adjusted position in the arms 42 by means of suitable lock nuts 46. Each eye-bolt engages a suitable spherical bearing 48 mounted on carrier plate 24 by a bolt 5i). Thus each arm 42 is mounted on the carrier plate 24 and by suitably adjusting the eyebolts 44 in arms 42 the circumferential position of the outer ends of the arms 42 may be adjusted in relationship to each other. The spherical bearings 48 provide for pivotal movement of the arms 42 in a vertical direction relative to the carrier 24. The forked outer end portions of arms V42 engage and are attached to suitable brackets or ears 52 on opposite sides of material directing funnels 54. The funnels 54 are for the purpose of directing measured or weighed material into bags carried by the arms 42 and held thereon by mechanisms to be described later.

In operation the bag filling machine disclosed herein is to be used in conjunction with weighing or similar mechanism adjacent to which it is located. The weighing or measuring mechanism preferably includes a delivery chute located at a fixed position and defining a filling station. It is necessary therefore that the carrier 24 be periodically indexed to position successive funnels 54 at the filling station. To accomplish this indexing function the mechanism of Figures 6 through 9 is provided.

As previously indicated, the gear I4 is constantly driven by motor II) and the hub I6 and friction clutch 32-35 mounted on the gear I4 are effective to establish a friction drive to the carrier 24. As previously stated, the upper portion of cylinder 26 denes a brake drum and a suitable brake lining 56 (see Fig. 6) extends around the brake drum 25. One end of the brake lining 5S' is xedly supported relative to the post 4 by means of a pin 58 (see also Fig. 9) extending through an end bracket 5S on the brake band 62 of brake lining 5B. The anchor pin 5S extends upwardly through an elongated slot 64 in a supporting bracket 6b xedly clamped to the post 4 above the hub I6. The bracket or support 65 is shown by dotted lines in Figure 6 and in full lines in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. The anchor pin 53 is threaded at its upper end and is provided with a xed coliar 68 below the support 66. A nut 'lll threaded to the upper end of the anchor pin 5S is effective to lock the pin in any selected position longitudinally of the slot 64 which extends generally tangentially of brake drum 26. An adjusting screw I2 extends through the side wall of the support 66 into and longitudinally of slot 64 and into engagement with a side of the anchor pin 58. Adjustment of screw 'I2 will effeet adjustment of anchor pin 58 in slot 64 when nut 'I0 is loosened and thereafter the nut 'IIJ may be tightened to lock the pin 58 in position and a lock nut 'i4 turned to lock adjusting screw I2, thus fixing the anchor pin 58 in selected position.

The other end of the brake band 82 of the brake lining is provided with a bracket 'i6 formed with a pair of ears 18 having aligned openings therethrough. A pin 8l) extends through the aligned openings of the ears 'lil and through one end of a lever 82. The lever 82 is freely pivoted on a pin 84 carried by support 65. The pin 84 defines a fixed axis about which lever 82 is free to pivot. The downwardly extending portion of pin 84 below support 66 is of greater length than the thickness of lever 82. A cam follower lever 86 is provided with a forked end portion (Fig. 7) embracing the pivoted portion of lever t2 and provided with aligned openings through which pin 84 passes. The pin 84 thus pivotally supports both the lever 82 and the cam follower lever 8S for independent pivotal movement about the same fixed axis.

As previously indicated the cylindrical drum 2E is provided with an integral flange 30 having an outer peripheral edge constituting a cam. The general configuration of the cam is shown to best advantage in Figure 2 and is provided with a series of outwardly projecting lobes, there being one lobe for each of the arms 42 of the apparatus. 'I'he plane in which the cam 38 lies extends below the cam follower lever 86. A cam following roller 88 is rotatably carried by a pin 88 supported at the outer end of cam follower lever 86 and is positioned therebelow at a level corresponding to the plane of the cam 38 and in position to engage the outer periphery of the cam. A suitable pressure fitting 9|, of conventional construction, is carried by pin 98 to facilitate lubrication of roller 88 in a well-known manner.

As best seen in Figure 6 the lever 82 extends radially outwardly beyond pin 84 and carries a pivot pin 92 at its outer end. Pivotally supported on the pin 92 is a pawl 94 held thereon by collar 95 and extending transversely of the lever 82. One end of the pawl 94 is shaped complementary to a notch 86 in the outer edge of cam follower lever 86 and the other end of the pawl 94 extends to the other side of pivot pin 92 and is pivoted to a link 98, as at 99, which link is pivoted, at |88, to the armature |82 of a solenoid |83. The solenoid |83 is supported by the support member 86 clamped to post 4. A tension spring |84 (see Figures 2 and 4) is connected at one end tc a post |86 fixed to the support 66 and at its other end to the armature l 82 of the solenoid |88 to thereby urge the armature to the left as seen in Figure 6 and to rock pawl 94 in a clockwise direction about pivot pin 92 to position the upper end of the pawl in the notch 96 of cam follower lever 86.

With the parts in the position thus described and with the cam following roller 88 at a low point of cam 38, the brake band 62 is released and the cylinder 26 and carrier 24 are free to be rotated by the friction clutch 32. As the drum 26 and cam 38 rotate with carrier 24 the cam 38 will be rotated past the roller 88 and a lobe of the cam will force roller 88 radially outwardly and pivot cam follower lever 86 about the axis of pin 84. Since spring |84 is, at this time, holding pawl 94 in the notch 96, pivotal movement of the follower lever 88 outwardly will .result in the pawl 94 being put under compression and thus applying a torque to lever 82 in such direction as to tighten the brake band 56 about the brake drum 26. The radial dimensions of the cam lobes are such that sufficient braking pressure will be applied to the drum 26 at the time the roller 88 approaches the crest of a cam lobe to overcome the torque applied by the friction clutch and eifect stopping of the carrier 24.

The support 66 may also be provided with a downwardly extending finger or bracket |88 through which a stop screw |8 is threaded in position to engage lever 82 and act as a stop therefor to limit the extent of releasing movement of brake lining 56. The brake band 62 is suiciently resilient to provide the necessary releasing bias to brake lining 56.

After operation of the brake band in the manner described to stop the carrier 24 at an indexed position, the lobe of the cam 38 will maintain the brake band in set condition and hold the carrier stationary until the brake is released by some external influence. Upon application of a suitable energizing current to the solenoid |03 the armature |82 thereof is drawn to the right as seen in Figure 6 in opposition to the bias of spring |84, thus swinging the pawl 94 counter-clockwise about its pivot pin 92 and withdrawing the upper end thereof from the notch 96. With the pawl 94 withdrawn from notch v96 the brake band is no longer maintained under tension and is thereby released to permit another cycle of indexing operation of the carrier through the influence of the friction clutch. It is to be understood that an impulse of current is applied to the solenoid |83 in response to completion of a weighing or measuring cycle in a machine or apparatus supplying measured or weighed quantities of material to the bag filling machine of this invention. The impulse applied to the solenoid |83 is only momentary so that upon release of the brake and commencement of an indexing cycle the armature |82 is again released to the action of spring |84 and the end of the pawl may again enter notch 96 to effect setting of the brake and stopping of the carrier when the roller 88 approaches the crest of the next cam lobe. By the mechanism thus far described it will be seen that a carrier such as the carrier 24 may be periodically indexed to position successive hoppers at la given station and that such sequential indexing cycles may be performed at a relatively high rate of speed. The braking arrangement is susceptible to high speed operation since the only masses necessary to accelerate are those carried by the carrier itself. The driving mechanism rotates constantly and it is unnecessary to expend power in accelerating and stopping the driving mechanism at each indexing cycle, while the friction clutch and brake insure smooth operation and maximum rates of acceleration of the carrier. The cam means for setting the brake produces a denite and positive indexing at a predetermined station within very close limits and the solenoid release for the brake provides an instantaneousv response to abruptly release the brake and effect indexing movement in the least possible time.

The funnels 54 carried by the outermost ends of arms 42 are provided with downwardly extending chutes ||2 riveted or otherwise fixed thereto. The chutes ||2 are generally U-shaped in horizontal section. The bottoms of the chutes, that is, the inner or closed sides extend downwardly and outwardly at a substantial angle to the vertical as clearly apparent from the drawings.

Each of the arms 42 has a downwardly extending leg portion I4 outwardly of the outer periphery of support plate 8 and closely adjacent l the forked end thereof near funnel 54. The legs ||4 are preferably formed integrally with the arms 42 and terminate at their lower ends in laterally spaced ngers or brackets H6 (most clearly seen in Fig. l). The fingers or brackets H8 may in fact extend upwardly in spaced relation to the arms 42 and be joined at their outer edges by a transverse web. The brackets ||6 are provided with aligned openings =at their lowermost ends in which a rock shaft i8 is journalled. Fixed to the shaft H8 between brackets |48 is a unitary U-shaped structure comprising a bottom plate |28 and spaced ears |22. The ears |22 are fixed to the shaft H8 in any suitable manner adjacent the inner faces of brackets l I6. Rigidly fixed to the bottom plate |28 is a downwardly extending follower arm |24 arranged to extend at an angle from the lower surface of the plate |28, all as clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The follower arm |24 has a cam following roller |26 journalled on the lower end thereof. A stud |28, fixed to the follower larm |24 extends inwardly therefrom and is provided with an eyelet at its inner end. A tension spring |38 is attached at one end to the eyelet on stud |28 and is attached at its other end to a suitable tting |32 on the inner side of the web joining brackets H6. It will be readily apparent that the spring |30 will be effective to urge follower arm |24 and its associated U-shaped bracket clockwise about the axis of shaft I8 as viewed at the right side of Figure 3.

Between the ears |22 of the U-shaped bracket a clamp member |34 is mounted on shaft I8 for limited rotation thereon. The clamp member |34 extends to opposite sides of the shaft ||3 and is provided with a bottom surface that may be spaced parallel to but spaced from the upper or inner surface of the plate |20. Inwardly of the shaft ||8 the plate |20 and clamping member |34 are provided with opposed recesses receiving the ends of a compression spring |36. The compression spring urges the clamp member |34 to rotate clockwise relative to plate |20, as seen in Figure 10, but the upper surface of plate at the outer edge thereof constitutes an -abutment to be engaged by a portion of the flat surface on the bottom of clamp member |34 to limit relative rotation in that direction.

The shaft ||8 extends beyond one of the vbrackets |6 and has a crank arm` |38 fixed thereto (Figs. 1 and 4). The crank arm |38 extends upwardly from the shaft IIB to a level slightlyT below the bottom of the funnel 54. A cross link |40 is pivoted at one end to the upper end of crank arm |38 and extends outwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the outer edge of the upper portion of the chute ||2. The funnel 54 has integrally formed thereon at opposite sides of the outer face thereof a pair of ears or brackets |42 in which a rock shaft |44 is journalled. The rock. sh-aft |44 extends outwardly beyond one of the ears |42 and has a downwardly extending crank arm |46 fixed thereon. The cross link |40, previously described, is pivoted at its outer end to the lowermost portion of the crank arm |46. Fixed to the shaft |44 between the ears |42 is a spreader mechanism |48 comprising angularly related portions |50 and |52 (see Fig. 3). The portion |52 comprises a relatively narrow finger extending downwardly practically within the chute ||2 when the follower arm |24 is swung outwardly to the limit of its travel, as shown in Figure 3. Preferably the crank |46 is angularly adjustable on shaft |44 and link |40 is so constructed as to be adjustable in length, all to provide for establishing the proper relationship between the parts described.

The support plate 8 supports downwardly extending posts |54 to the lower ends of which a cam track |56 is fixed. The cam track |56 extends arcuately about the post 4, generally concentric thereto and is provided with an outer surface defining a cam track for the roller |26. The cam track |58 extends only a portion of the way around the apparatus, extending through three stations of the machine (see Fig. 2). One end portion of the track |56 is provided with an outwardly projecting lobe |58 whereas the remainder of the track surface extends concentrically about the post 4 at a uniform distance therefrom but inwardly of the outer portion of lobe |58. While the roller |26 is at or near the crest of cam track lobe |58 the shaft H8 is rotated counter-clockwise to such an extent that the upper surface of plate |20 engages clamp member |34 and rotates the same counter-clockwise suiiciently far to remove the upper end thereof from contact with the outer surface of chute |2. At the same time, the crank arm |38 acting through link |40 and crank |46 retracts the spreader |50| 52 to the position shown at the right of Figure 3. In this position the parts are in position to release a lled bag from the apparatus.

When the roller |26 is in engagement with the concentric portion of cam track |56 the parts are in the relative position indicated in Figure 10 of the drawings, that is, the arm |24 is held at such an angle that the upper surface of plate |20 is withdrawn from that portion of clamp member |34 to the right of shaft H8 to permit the clamp member to swing clockwise to position its free end against the outer surface of chute H2. The parts are so proportioned that the end of member |34 engages chute |2 while the opposite end thereof remains spaced from the upper surface of plate |26. The compression spring |36 is effective at this time to yieldably hold clamp member |34 against the side of chute H2. With the parts in this position an empty bag may be slipped upwardly over the chute H2, which later enters the open mouth of the bag. The bag may be moved upwardly to the position indicated by dotted line at the left side of Figure 4. As will be apparent from the drawings one wall of the bag will be positioned between the clamp member |34 and the surface of the chute H2. The bag is intended to be manually placed on the apparatus in the manner described while the parts are in the relative positions indicated in Figure l0. Thus, the clamp member |34 may be resiliently retracted from contact with chute ||2 by the mere act of passing one wall of the bag therebetween and compression spring |36` thereupon acts to yieldably press the bag against the chute and frictionally hold it in the position described. During the positioning of the bag on the chute the bag spreader elements Hifi- |52 will be in substantially the position shown at the right of Figure 3. Upon movement of the carrier and bag supporting mechanism to a station beyond the end of cam track |56 opposite the end having lobe |58 tension spring |36 becomes effective to swing follower arm |24 inwardly toward post 4 and thus move the plate |20 relative to clamp member |34 until the portions thereof adjacent the spring |36 come into actual engagement. The spring |30 then applies torque directly to the clamp member |34 and elects firm locking of member |34 against the chute ||2 with sufficient pressure to support a bag and its contents. At the same time the arm |24 moves inwardly under the influence of spring |30, the crank arm |38, link |40, crank |46 and shaft |44 will be actuated to move the bag spreader outwardly to the position shown at the left side of Figure 4. When retracted to the position shown at the right of Figure 3, the spreader finger |52 is in such position that the upper edge of a bag placed on the chute I2 extends upwardly above the lower end thereof. Upon movement of the finger |52 to the position shown at the left of Figure 4 the mouth of the bag is spread sufficiently to receive all material deposited in frmnel 54 and passing therethrough.

As previously described a vibrator plate 20 (Fig. 3) is fixed to the upper surface of the main drive gear i4 so that the vibrator plate is rotated constantly with the driving mechanism. The plate 20 extends radially outwardly to a position adjacent the downwardly extending legs i i4 and is provided with a vertical circumferential flange |60. The flange |60 provides reinforcement for the outer edge of the plate 20 and extends upwardly thereabove. The upper surface of the flange |60 is formed with a vertically undulating or wavy upper surface |62. The arms 42, at a location near the upper ends of the legs 4 are each provided with an inwardly extending trunnion pin |64 on which a roller |66 is rotatably mounted. The roller is in position to engage and ride upon the undulating surface |62 of the vibrator plate 26. As clearly evident from Figure 3 of the drawings the roller 66 is of an axial length substantially greater than the radial dimension of the surface |62 whereby it extends radially outwardly beyond that surface. As previously described, the arms 42 are pivotally mounted to the carrier plate 24 for vertical movement in a plane radial to the post 4. The rollers |66 riding upon the surface |62 constitute a vertical support for the arms 42. The support plate 8, fixed to post 4, extends outwardly below the vibrator plate 26 and a slight distance radially outwardly thereof. A portion of the periphery of support 8 is provided with an upstanding iiange |68 terminating at its upper edge in a smooth horizontal track surface slightly above the highest portions of the undulating surface |62 and is concentric thereto. It will be apparent that, since vibrator plate 26 rotates constantly, vertical vibratory movements will be imparted to the arms 42 during periods when the carrier plate 24 and its associated arms 42 are being held stationary by the braking mechanism. That is, vibratory movements are imparted to the arms and elements carried thereby when they are stationary at stations across which the flange |68 of support 8 does not extend.

The support 6 also carries downwardly extending posts l'lll to the lower end of which brackets |12 are attached by means of cap screws |14, The brackets |12 are provided with downwardly extending portions |16 to which clamp blocks |78 are attached for vertical adjustment along the portions |16. The portions |16 extend downwardly and outwardly substantially paral` lel to the bottom or closed sides of the chutes H2. The clamp blocks |18 are each provided with an outwardly facing groove |80 receiving a resilient bent rail member |82. A portion of the rail |82 extends concentrically about the post 4 in position to engage the bottom portion of a bag, below the chute ||2, as indicated at the left side of Figure 4. Since the bags are clamped to the chute at a single point on the inner side thereof, it will be apparent that the weight of material deposited in the bag will itend to `cause the bag to swing inwardly about its clamped point as a fulcrurn. The bag rail |82 is provided for the purpose of preventing such inward swinging movement of the bag. As shown in Figure 2` the bag rail |82 extends only part way around the apparatus and its end portions are directed inwardly to effec-t gradual engagement with the bag and to disengage the bag prior to its release from the apparatus. The rail |82 is resilient since adjustment thereof along portions |16 of brackets |12, to cooperate with bags of different length, results in a change of radius of curvature of the rail.

As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 the post 4 supports a cover plate |84 at its upper end. The cover plate may be attached to a ring |86 frictionally received over the upper terminus of post 4 to be xedly held thereby. The cover plate |84 is preferably of segmental spherical shape and extends outwardly and downwardly to a position closely adjacent the inner edges of iunnels 54 to thereby enclose and protect the drive and indexing mechanism of the apparatus and 1()` to act as a safety guard for many of the moving parts.

At a position adjacent one of the stations to which the funnels 54 are indexed, the cover plate |64 is formed with a-n integral boss |66 to which a bracket |88 is attached. The bracket |88 supports a horizontally extending plate |66 of a shape in horizontal plane substantially the same as the shape of the mouth of a funnel 5d. The plate |66 is supported in a position just slightly above the tops of funnels 54 so that a funnel therebeneath is substantially closed by the plate. The bracket |66 also supports a suitable blower |92 having a discharge duct |94 directed downwardly through an opening |96 in plate |60 to thereby direct a blast of air downwardly through the funnel 5t therebeneath, It is intended that the blower |62 be supported at a station immediately following that at which a bag is first locked to the chute i l2 so that the downwardly directed blast of air will enter the bag and completely open the same to material receiving position at about the time the bag rst engages rail |62.

At another station of the apparatus, preferably at station 6, the cover plate |84 is provided with a further integral boss 98 (see Fig. 5) which in turn supports a bracket 280 to which an up-1 wardly and outwardly extending shaft 262 is fixed. A collar 264 is xed to the shaft 262, such as by means of a set screw, and constitutes a bearing surface for a star wheel agitator 266. The star wheel agitator 206 is provided with a hub 208 journalled on the shaft 202 and a compression spring 2 6 reacting against a second collar 2|2 on shaft 262 holds the hub Bilt rmly against collar 264 to thereby provide a friction brake to prevent free spinning rotation of the wheel 236. As best seen in Figure 4, the wheel 206 comprises a plurality of radially extending spaced arms fixed to the hub 203. The axis about which the wheel 266 rotates, as defined by shaft 262, is such that the ends of the legs of the star wheel project into the funnels 54 a substantial distance and the paths of movement of the arms and the funnels are generally the same throughout a minor portion of each. As the carrier 24 and funnels 54 are periodically indexed to successive stations the sides of the funnels 54 engage the sides of the star wheel legs and cause rotation thereof much in the nature of a pair of gears. The legs are arranged to project into the mouth of the funnels to insure movement of material deposited therein through the chutes H2 into the bags supported thereby. The sta-r wheel agitator is shown in the drawings at station merely forl convenience of illustration, it being preferably located at station 6.

Referring now particularly to Figure 2 of the drawings it will be noted that the apparatus consists of eight arms 42 and eight associated funnels 64. Likewise the cam 3l! is provided with eight equally spaced lobes for effecting setting of the brakingl mechanism. Thus there are eight stations `at which each funnel is successively brought to rest. For convenience of description the drawings include legends indicating corresponding stations in the different views. As shown in Figure 2 the cam track |56 for operating the bag clamping and spreading mechanisms extends from station l through station 2 and terminates short of station 3. The high lobe of the cam track |56 is located at station 8 and it will be noted that the bag supporting rail |82 ends at station 8 with its end portion located substantially inwardly of the rest of the Vbag supping means and cam track follower assume the relative positions shown in Figure l0. An operator takes a position adjacent stations I and/or 2 and manually applies empty bags to the chute H2 at either station l or 2. The empty bag supply rack 5 may be vertically and angularly adjusted on the post 4 to position the supply of empty bags at a location convenient to the operator. In actual use the bag holder is positioned somewhere between stations i and 2, as shown in Figure 2. For convenience of illustration, the bag holder 6 is shown in Figures 1 and 4 at a position below station 8 but clearly that cannot be its operational position since that space is to be occupied by the take-away conveyor referred to above. As stated above empty bags are manually taken from the rack E and placed on the chutes H2 in the manner described while the latter are at either station l or 2. A bag thus positioned on the apparatus is yieldably held thereon with the parts acting as described in connection with Figure l0. Subsequent indexing of the bag to station 3 results in the roller 25 passing completely off the tapered end of cam track ISB with the described resulting positive clamping of the bag to the chute and operation of the spreader ngers (52 to open theV mouth of the bag prior to arrival at station 3. The blower I92 is shown at station 4 merely for convenience of illustration. It is preferred that in actual practice the blower be positioned over station 3 to completely expand the bag at that station and just before the same engages bag supporting rail 182.

As also shown in Figure 2 of the drawings the upstanding ange |58 of support plate 8 extends concentrically around the apparatus from a starting position ahead of station 8 to a terminal position slightly ahead of station 4. Thus, the funnels and bag supporting mechanisms at stations l, 2 and 3 are supported by the smooth track at the upper edge of ange 63 and at a level above the undulating surface |62 of vibrator plate 20. Thus the arms and funnels at stations l, 2 and 3 are not vibrated as the plate 2B rotates beneath them.

As an empty but clamped and opened bag isv moved from station 3 to station 4 it engages bag rail 82 and during that indexing movement the roller ISS associated therewith passes off the ange [68 and the bag supporting means is then supported solely by the undulating surface of vibrator plate 2U. Station 4 is preferably the filling station of the apparatus. The machine described herein is intended to be used in series with a suitable material weighing or measuring apparatus. The weighing or measuring apparatus will be provided with suitable discharge means for directing charges of material to a position immediately above the funnel 54 at station 4. During the lling operation the funnels are stationary and the funnel at station 4, being supported by vibrator plate 20, which rotates constantly, is caused to vibrate in a vertical direction at a relatively high frequency to thereby compact material deposited in the bag. During indexing movement of the nlled bag from vstation 4 to station YE the arms 42 and plate 2D move in unison, therefore no vibratory motion is imparted to the bag support during actual indexing movement between stations. As the iilled bags come to rest at stations 5 and t they are again vibrated to insure compacting of the material therein.

As the filled bags pass through station No. 6 one leg of the star Wheel agitator 225 enters the funnel at that station to insure discharge of any material that may have compacted and bridged itself across the throat of the funnel. As the filled bag moves from station i to station 8 the bag supporting rail 182 recedes inwardly away therefrom while the clamping means are released by the lobe 58 of cam track 156 and the bag is thus dropped to the aforementioned conveyor for removal.

Preferably the weighing or measuring apparatus provides the electrical impulse applied to solenoid w3 whereby to release the turret 24 for indexing in synchronism with delivery of material from the weighing mechanism to the bag filling apparatus described herein. However, any other suitable means may be employed to provide the required impulse at the proper time.

While a single preferred embodiment of the apparatus has been shown and described it is to be understood that many modifications may be resorted to within the scope of the invention and many subcombinations may be substituted as equivalents without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a bag filling machine, a constantly rotating member, a carrier mounted for rotation about the same axis as said member, means for intermittently connecting said carrier and said member for rotation together as a unit, bag holding means movably mounted on said carrier, said member having means thereon cooperating with said bag holding means and operable in response to relative rotation between said member and carrier to vibrate said bag holding means when said member rotates relative to said carrier and whereby no vibration is imparted to said bag holding means when said carrier is connected 'to said member.

2. A machine as defined in claim l wherein said means for intermittently rotating said carrier comprises indexing means for stopping said bag holding means at a plurality of stations, and means at certain of said stations for preventing engagement of said bag holding means by said means carried by said member whereby to prevent vibration of said bag holding means when stationary at said certain stations.

3. In a bag filling machine, a stationary frame, rotary driving means mounted on a fixed axis on said frame, means for imparting constant rotation to said driving means, a carrier rotatably mounted on said frame coaxial to said driving means, a bag holding means mounted on said carrier for limited movement relative thereto in a radial plane, means connecting said driving means to said carrier to index said bag holding means to successive predetermined stations, a vibrator fixed to said driving means and having an undulating surface thereon, said surface engaging a portion of said bag holding means at certain of said stations to thereby vibrate the latter in said radial plane during periods when said carrier is stationary.

4. A machine as dened in claim 3 including 13 fixed track means at other than said certain of said stations, said track means, being engageable with a portion of said bag holding means to hold the latter free of said undulating surface whereby said bag holding means is not vibrated when stationary at said other stations.

5, In a bag iilling machine, a stationary frame, rotary driving means mounted on a xed vertical axis on said frame, means for imparting constant rotation to said driving means, a carrier rotatably mounted on said frame above and coaxial to said driving means, a radially extending bag holding arm pivoted to said carrier for movement relative thereto in a vertical plane, means for ini-ermittently driving said carrier from said driving means and at the same speed to thereby index said arm to successive predetermined stations, a member xed to said driving means and having an annular portion provided with an upper vertically undulating surface below a portion of said bag holding arm, a roller on said arm normally urged to rest on said surface whereby said arm may be vertically supported by said member and whereby said arm may be vertically vibrated when said carrier is stationary with said arm at certain of said stations but not vibrated when said carrier and arm are moving between said stations in unison with said member.

6. A machine as defined in claim wherein a portion of said roller extends radially outwardly of said undulating surface, a fixed arcuate track on said frame outwardly of said member and in the path of said extending portion of said roller, said track having a smooth upper surface higher than said undulating surface and extending through certain of said stations whereby said track supports said roller and arm free of said undulating surface at said certain stations.

'7. A machine comprising, a carrier having bag supporting means thereon, said bag supporting means comprising a downwardly extending element having a surface engageable with an inner face of one wall of a bag, a clamp element on said carrier and yieldable means urging said clamp element toward said surface to thereby frictionally hold a bag between said element and surface, and locking means actuable to positively lock said clamp element firmly against said surface to thereby lock a bag and its contents to said carrier, said clamp element comprising a bar pivoted on said carrier adjacent said surface and having one end thereof directed generally upwardly to pivot into engagement with said surface.

8. A machine as defined in claim '7 wherein said clamp element is spring-pressed toward said surface and wherein said locking means comprises a clamp actuator, movable on said carrier by spring means, in a direction to engage and positively press said clamp element against said surface, and cam means to move the same away from said clamp element.

9. A machine as defined in claim 8 including an abutment on said clamp actuator engageable with said clamp element after movement of said actuator a predetermined distance away from said element, a portion of said cam being so dimensioned as to move said actuator more than said predetermined distance and thereby overcome said yieldable means and release a bag held by said clamp element.

10. In a bag handling machine, a carrier having bag supporting means thereon, means for intermittently moving said carrier to position said bag supporting means at successive predetermined stations, said bag supporting means comprising a downwardly extending element having a surface engageable with an inner face of one wall of an empty bag, a clamp element pivoted to said carrier on an axis xed thereon, an end of said clamp element being swingable into engagement with said surface to frictionally grip the wall of said bag therebetween, said clamp element having portions on opposite sides of said axis, a clamp actuator mounted for pivotal movement about said axis, said clamp actuator having abutments on opposite sides of said axis, said abutments being opposed to and spaced from the said portions of said clamp elements, rst spring means between one of said abutments and its opposed portion and urging said clamp element in such direction as to press said end thereof against said surface, further spring means biasing said clamp actuator to engage said one of said abutments and its opposed portion to lock said end of said clamp element against said surface, and a cam track at and between certain of said stations to engage said clamp actuator and pivot the same in opposition to said further spring means sufficiently far to release said clamp element to the action of said first spring means.

11. A machine as defined in claim lll-wherein a portion of said cam track at one of said stations is so dimensioned as to swing said clamp actuator suficiently to engage the other of said abutments with its opposed portion and positively swing said end of said clamp element away from said surface to release a bag held thereby.

12. In a bag filling machine, a carrier having bag supporting means thereon, means for intermittently moving said carrier to position said bag supporting means at successive predetermined stations, said bag supporting means comprising a downwardly extending chute of generally U- shaped in horizontal section and adapted to extend into the mouth of a bag, yieldable means for frictionally holding a bag wall against the closed side of said chute, a bag expander pivoted to said carrier and arranged to swing to a position within said chute or to swing outwardly through the open side thereof to expand a bag thereon, and means operable at and between certain of said stations to swing and hold said expander outwardly.

13. In a bag lling machine, a carrier having bag supporting means thereon, means for intermittently moving said carrier to position said bag supporting means at successive predetermined stations, said bag supporting means comprising a downwardly extending chute of generally U-shape in horizontal section and adapted to extend into the mouth of a bag, yieldable means for frictionally holding a bag wall against the closed side of said chute, a bag expander pivoted to said carrier and arranged to swing to a position within said chute or to swing outwardly through the open side thereof to expand a bag thereon, a movable cam follower on said carrier arranged to simultaneously lock said yieldable means against said chute and swing said bag expander outwardly, when moved in one direction, spring means urging said cam follower in said one direction and a xed cam track at and between certain of said stations arranged to engage said cam follower and move it in the other direction.

14. In a bag filling machine, a carrier having bag supporting means thereon, means for intermittently moving said carrier to position said bag supporting means at successive predetermined stations, said bag supporting means comprising gripping means for holding only one side wall of a bag adjacent the Ytop thereof, the other side of said bag being unsupported, a stationary guide rail extending in the direction of movement of said carrier, said rail being positioned to slidablv enga-ge the said side Wall of the bag adjacent the bottom thereof to prevent lateral swinging movement of said bag about said gripping means.

15. In a bag lling machine, an upstanding iixed post, a carrier mounted for rotation about said post, means for intermittently indexing said carrier about said post, said carrier having a piurality of spaced material receiving funnels around the periphery thereof, means for supporting a bag on said carrier below each of said funnels, said post extending above said carrier and having a cover member xed to the top thereof and eX- tending outwardly to a position adjacent said tunnels, a rotary structure carried by said cover on an axis oblique to said post and having a plurality of radial arms, the ends of adjacent arms being so spaced as to be successively receivable in adjacent tunnels as said carrier moves about said post, to insure movement of material through said funnels, said rotary structure being rotated by movement of said funnels in engagement with said arms.

16. A machine as dened in claim 15 including friction brake means for said rotary structure to retard free spinning rotation thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 619,834 Nickerson Feb. 21, 1899 744,423 Steckel Nov. 17, 1903 1,621,385 Thropp Mar. 15, 1927 1,781,714 Anderson Nov. 18, 1930 1,935,406 Galkin Dec. 25, 1934 2,235,942 Moore Mar. 25, 1941 

